Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-19
POOR JOHN!
BY FLORENCE H. GETcHELL.

1
tense, and Mrs. Arde, on her way down
town to do some shopping. stopped in at
Mrs. Bray's to rest. She found Mrs Bray
looking worn and anxious, busy mending
her little sons diminutive knickerbockers
| She put aside her work at once, however,
on seeing her friend and begged Mrs. Arde
to sit down.
'I'm real glad you came in" she said,
'for I've been dull enough lately and
| haven't gone anywhere or seen anybody p'
eHave you been sick ?" asked Mrs. Arde
''Well, l can't say I've been actually
sick, though I've had the headache almost
constantly. But haven't felt in the mood
for any amusement. often think have
more trouble than any one else living. l
tell John it's no wonder Pm getting gray
so fast. I'll look like an old woman long
before my time"
"What is the matter ?" asked Mrs. Arde
"Well, in the first place, there's to be a
new superintendent at the mills on the first
of September, and expect nothing else but
that John will lose his place."
'Why, isn't he liked?'
"Yes, but there are always so many dis
charges when new superintendent comes
in. If John loses his place I don't know
what we will dO-go to the poor-house, I
suppose.
"Not so bad as that, hope;" and Mrs.
Arde could not repress a smile. "At least
not while you own such nice cottage as
that You have just built on Pierce street.
MIR. Arde and drove past it yesterday and
admired it very much"
''Oh, that S just another source of
trouble. We built it to rent, you know,
and it has been finished three weeks, and
no sign of a tenant yet. I tell John it will
eat it's head off. 1t was great mistake to
build SO far out. People won't go out
there to live; it's too inconvenient. was
saying to John yesterday that it wouldn't
surprise me at all if we didn't rent for
year-and think what lossn ~
'Of course you remember the old saying
about crossing bridge before you come to
it p said Mrs. Arde.
"Oh, it's easy for you to talk; it isn't
your bridge" was the rejoinder. 81
wouldn't worry about the house 80 much
if it were not that we are anticipating
heavy loss in another direction. John
very foolshly went security on a note for
two hundred dollars, which will fall due in
three days. Not a word have we heard
from the man who owes it, and I am NOR
ally certain he won't pay cent of it, 1
feel fairly sick whenever I think of it. l
cold John yesterday that I'd never forgive
him if he ever went security for any one
again. I don't think man ought to ask
such favor; it is taking mean advan-
tage of frisndship."
why not hope that the note agiH be
paid ?" asked Mrs. Arde gently.
''There's no ground for hope" and Mrs.
manage l don't know, for it took every
cent we'd laid by to build that cottage;
and told John when it was finished that
we'd have to scrimp more than ever now
And we must calculate on heavy doctors
bill too"
"Why SOP"
"Well, George had the diphtheria last
January, you know, and all but died, and
it stands to reason he'll have it again, his
throat's so tender. I'm worried about
him all the time. don't take a moments
peace. Life is SO strange! 1t does seem
as if some people were shut off from every
thing like enjoyment. With me it's no.
thing but care and trouble from the begin
ming to the end of every year."
81 have always maintained that life is
pretty much as we make it," said Mrs.
Arde quietly, as she rose to go. "Of
course trouble comes upon us sometimes
we must expect that-but it's bad plan
to borrow it, think it is better to hope
for the best under all circum stances and
put our faith in the Lord. He's sure to
bring things out right in the end. And
you know that sometimes what seems like
great trouble turns out to be blessing
in Disguise
ooh, it is easy for you to feel that way;
you never have any WORRIES" returned
hrs. Bray. "Your husband is we'll off and
you have no children. l was saying to
John this very morning that l must GER
tainly have been born under an unlucky
starr
"Poor John r' thought Mrs. Arde, but
she made no reply.
A month later Mrs. Bray returned her
friends call. Her face still wore a worn,
harassed expression, and she sighed as she
accepted the chair Mrs. Arde pushed for
ward.
81 thought I'd run in for little whlle."
she said, ''butI don't know that you'll
thank me for coming. I'm dull company
for anybody these days"
81 hope your husband hasn't been dis
charged" said Mrs. Arde.
''No; he's kept his place. and he and the
new superintendent are great friends; / only
hope it will last" was the reply.
"Then that worry is off your mind; and
your cottage is rented, too. Mr.. Arde and
l drove past it yesterday and saw some chill
dren playing on the porch"
Eyes, it's rented, and to very nice
family" said Mrs. Bray. "They pay a
higher rate than we expected te get too,
and that's great help. But of course
they won't stay-we cau't expect it.
was saying to John few days ago that it
wouldn't surprise me at all if the house
was empty again by the end of December,
there are always so many changes made
about that season of the year."
''You must hope for the best. How
about that note you feared would not be
paid?"
.'Oh, that trouble is off my mind, thank
goodnessl The man paid it. But it would
be just like John to lend his name to an
other Pm worried about it all the time
He don't know how to refuse friend any
thing. 1 am always telling him that his
generosity will bring US all to the poor
house yet"
| Again Mrs. Arde thought of s.Poor
Jehpn' and wondered how he endured life
tied to a woman who crossed every bridge
long before she came to it and found rocks
and burs in the smoothest path.
| This is not fancy sketch, and l venture
nothing in saying that among those who
read it there will be few who cannot call
to mind people who, like Mrs. Fray, bor-
row trouble on every hand.-ChristiGn
Weekly.
| ALL KINDS OF GIRLs.-A good girl to
have-Sal Walton. A disagreeable girl
Annie Mostly. Not christian girl-Het.ie
Rodoxy. A very pleasant grl-Jennie
Rosity. One of the best girls-Ella Cant.
A very sweet girl-Carre Mel. A smooth
girl--Amelia Ration. A geometrcal girl
Polly Con. A flower girl-Rhoda Den
dron. A musical girl-Sarah Made. A pro-
found giri-Metta Physics. A star girl
Meta Oric. A clinging girl--Jessie Mine.
A nervous girl-Hester Ical. A muscular
eir!--Callie Slhenics. A lively girl-Annie
Nation. An uncertain girl-Eva Nescent.
A serene girl-Moliie Fly. A great big
girl-Ella Phant. A war-like girl-Millie
Tary. A small girl-Lillie Putian. A
stout girl-Addie Pose. A city girl
Minnie Apois A light girl-Carrie Seen.
A band girl-Clara Net.
You can't afford to laush. dear girls,